Brig, Gen. Morris C. Troper Dies; Active in Refugee Work Since 1920

Brigadier General Morris C. Troper, a central figure in efforts to aid Jews fleeing the Nazis during World War II, died here Saturday, one day before he was to have celebrated his 70th birthday. He had been chairman of the JDC European executive since 1920.

Active in Jewish refugee affairs for almost 40 years, he was first sent in this connection by the JDC to Poland and Hungary in 1920. He also went to the Soviet Union in 1929 and in 1936, to study efforts of Soviet Jews to establish autonomous colonies there. He first visited Germany on behalf of the JDC in 1933.

On the eve of World War II, Brig. Gen. Troper and Paul Eaerwald, also of the JDC, negotiated with The Netherlands, France, Great Britain and Belgium to accept the 907 passengers aboard the Hamburg-American liner St. Louis, who had been refused permission to disembark in Cuba. Brig. Gen. Troper remained in his Paris office until just 10 hours before the Nazis took the city and then, after a brief stay in New York, set up headquarters in Lisbon to continue his work on behalf of Jewish refugees.

In 1942 he entered the United States Army in the Office of the Fiscal Director. Subsequently he earned the rank of brigadier general and, in 1945, was awarded the Legion of Merit for his service.